Finger ring with flashlight attachment



Jul 25, 1950 BROWN 2,516,180

FINGER RING WITH, FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT Filed May 27, 1948 INVENTOR. f7?/Z 590W Patented July 25, 1950 FINGER RING WITH FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENTMeyer M. Brown, New York, N. Y. Application May 27, 1948, Serial N 0.29,439

9 Claims. (Cl. 240-59) This invention relates to afinger ring withfiashlight attachment, particularly to a finger ring with flashlightattachment providing for control of the flashlight bulb by means of afinger operated switch.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, abovereferred to, which is designed as a self-contained unit, that is, as aunit in which the ring supports a light bulb and a battery employed assource of current.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, abovereferred to, so designed that the bulb may be displayed on the outsideof the hand similarly to a ring stone while the battery and the switchare concealed within the palm of the hand when the ring is worn by aperson.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring attachment of the general type, above referred to, thebatteryof which is of such shape and size that it fits snugly into thepalm of the hand, thereby allowing closin of the fingers even of achild's hand over the battery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, abovereferred to, in which the light bulb is arranged to illuminate atransparent or translucent ring stone, a small figure, etc., mountedover or in front of the light bulb, thereby creating an amusing andsurprising effect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring of the general type, above referred to, the diameter ofwhich can be conveniently adjusted to fit the ring to fingers ofdifferent size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring with flashlight attachment which is convenient to wear,light in weight, and reliable in operation due to the simplicity of itsdesign, the absence of loose wires, and easy replacement of the battery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedfinger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, abovereferred to, which can be inexpensively and attractively manufacturedand is easy to assemble so that the finger ring is highly suitable as anovelty item.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe pointed out hereinafter and appear in the appended claims formingpart of the application.

In the accompanyin drawing, several now preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a finger ring with flashlight attachmentaccording to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same ring seen from the opposite side.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modification of the finger ring,

Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modification of a finger ring accordingto the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third modification of a finger ring withflashlight attachment according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7.

F Fi$. 9 is a rear view of the ring according to Fig. 10 is stillanother modification of a finger ring with flashlight attachmentaccording to the invention. and

Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 10.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in detail, the exemplification of theinvention shown on these figures comprises a split metal rin Ill. Thesplit of the ring permits convenient adjustment of the size of the ring.A portion I I of this ring is flattened and supports a clamp I2 alsomade of metal. This clamp is fastened to ring I 0 by any suitable meansfor instance soldering or bent-oil hooks I3 extending throughcorresponding holes in ring portion II. Clamp I2 is open at both endsand serves to receive a light bulb Id of the type conventionally usedfor flashlights. The globe of the bulb may be of the spherical type, thelens-tipped pear-shaped type or any other suitable type. As can best beseen on Fig. 2, the clamp is Soillaped that the light bulb is securelyheld within the clamp and that the base of the bulb is in contact withthe clamp thereby connecting the base terminal of the bulb to ring I U.The other terminal I5 of the bulb may slightly protrude from the clamp.Portion I2 of the clamp is slightly bulged, if necessary, to providespace for the glass globe of the lamp, the glass globe being shown inFig. 2 as protruding beyond the rim of the clamp. As can best be seen onFig. 2, the axial width of the clamp may correspond substantiall to theaxial length of the bulb. The width of the ring is shown as beingwidened toward the clamp to provide for an attractive appearance of thering. However, it should be understood that any other suitable ringshape and design or ornament may also be selected.

A ring portion spaced apart from ring portion ll, preferablysubstantially diametrically opposite to ring portion I I supports asecond metal clamp I6 fastened by any suitable means to the ring, forinstance soldering or welding or by means of a hook I! extending fromclamp I6 and crimped or clamped over ring Ill. Fig. 2 shows clamp 86secured to the ring and also separated therefrom to illustrate moreclearly the design of the clamp. As will be apparent, clamp 16 may alsobe secured to the ring, adjustably in circum ferential direction.

The clamp encompasses tightly the cup or casing l8 of a battery or a drycell generally designated by l9. The battery is cyllndrically shaped. Atype of battery as small as possible is preferably employed, Figs. 1 to3 showing approximately the natural size of a suitable battery. As thecup or casing of a battery conventionally constitutes one of theterminals of the battery, clamp l6 connects one battery terminal to ringill and also to the base terminal of bulb I4.

For the purpose of completing the circuit, one open end of an insulatedelectrical conductor 20 is soldered or otherwise secured to, or held incontact with bulb terminal IS. The conductor may be made of Phosphorbronze, spring brass or other suitable conducting springy material. Onthe other end of the conductor, there is provided a contact element 2|so biased that it is normally separated from the second battery terminal22. Conductor 20 is preferably secured to ring III by any suitable meanssuch as a bent-01f nose 23 extending from one of the edges of the ring.The conductor may further be guided along the ring body for instance bymeans of a notch 24 in the edge of the ring. As will be obvious, thepurpose of securing the insulated conductor to the ring body is to avoida loose wire and to secure contact element 2| in its proper positionrelative to terminal 22 so that the contact element, when pressure isapplied thereto, will engage terminal 22 and not casing l8. Variousother means can of course be used to attain the same purpose.

The ring is to be worn by a person in such position that bulb I 4 isoutside of the hand in a position similar to a ring stone while thebattery is at the inside of the fingers or the palm of the hand. Toclose the bulb circuit and to illuminate the bulb, the wearer merelypresses with one of his or her fingers, for instance the thumb or afinger contiguous to the finger on which the ring is worn, contactelement 2! against terminal 22 whereupon the bulb circuit is closed aslong as element 28 and terminal 22 are in engagement.

As will be noted, the ring according to the invention constitutes aself-contained unit avoiding the necessity of carrying a battery in apocket or any other place separate from the ring and connected to thebulb by loose wires. Furthermore, the entire finger ring with all itsassociated parts is so small that it is not much bulkier than anordinary finger ring.

The exemplification oi the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is inprinciple similar to the exemplification according to Figs. 1 to 3.Corresponding parts are indicated by identical reference characters. Thedesign according to Figs. 4 and 5 is distinguished from Figs. 1 to 3 byshowing the adjustable ring proper and the clamps supporting the lightbulb and the battery as being made all out of one piece rather thansecuring the clamps to the ring. For this purpose a metal strip is bentto form a loop 25 for reception of bulb l4 and a second loop 26 to formthe ring proper. One end of the metal strip is extended and bent to forma clamp 2i for holding and securing battery casing it. The shape of theclamps and the ring thus formed are clearly shown on Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 6 also shows a design in which. the ring and the clamps supportingthe bulb and the bat tery are made out of one piece. All these parts areformed by bending a metal strip into substantially 8- or s-shape, thelarge loop 28 of the strip forming the adjustable ring proper and thesmall loop 29 the clamp for the light bulb H. An extension 30 of thestrip' isbent to form the clamp for holding and securing the battery.

In this connection it should be mentioned that it is of course alsopossible and practical to combine the designs of Figs. 1, 4 and 6 byforming only one of the clamps integrally with the ring and securing thesecond clamp to the ring in a manner similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show an exemplification of the invention comprising anadjustable ring 3! formed by bending a metal strip accordingly. Lightbulb I4 is secured to the ring by means of a bracket or arm 32 extendingfrom one edge of ring 3| and integral therewith or secured thereto byany suitable means. Bracket 32 is provided with an opening 33 designedto be threaded on the threads 34 of the bulb base. Of course, any othersuitable means to secure the bulb base and hence one of the bulbterminals to bracket 32 can also be employed.

The bracket is supporting the bulb in a position substantially parallelto the axial width of the ring and slightly spaced from the flattenedring portion 35. This permits to slipping a sleeve or cap 36 over thelight bulb and its base. It is of course also possible to provide anopen sleeve in which case the bulb need not to be spaced from the ring.Sleeve 36 is shown in Figs. '7 and 8 as being made of a transparentmaterial such as plastic and may support a ring stone 31 in a positionsubstantially opposite to the light bulb. As a result, the light of thebulb when the same is illuminated will shine through the ring stonethereby creating the impression of a brilliant sparkler.

The battery is secured to the ring by means of a bracket 38. Thisbracket has an opening 39 through which the battery is extended. Theouter end of the bracket is bent oil to form an arm 40 gripping andsecuring one end of the battery casing by a nose 4|. The other end ofthe battery casing is held and secured by a tongue 42 cut out of thematerial of arm 40 as can best be seen on Fig. 9. The end of tongue 42is also bent ofi at 43 to extend over the top of battery casing l8.

The exemplification of the invention according to Figs. 10 and 11 issimilar to the design according to Figs. 7 to 9 in respect to themounting of the light bulb. The ring proper is formed by cutting twotongues 45 and 46 out of a metal strip and bending the same into a ringadjustable in size as can best be seen on Fig. 10. The ends of thestrips are extended to form two arms 41 and 48 respectively. Each armincludes an opening 49 through which battery casing I8 is extended. Thematerial of the ring strip and the shape of arms 41 and 48 are soselected that the arms have a certain springiness securing the batteryin the position shown on Fig. 10.

A hood 5!] is shown removably slipped over the light bulb. This hood maybe visualized as a transparent or translucent cap made of coloredmaterial, an opaque cap having openings therethrough for instance inform of a skull, a little figure or design, etc. In each instance anamusing or surprising efiect will be created by the light of the bulb.

It will be obvious from the previous specification that the variousmountings of the light bulb and the battery as explained in connectionwith the figures can be used interchangeably, that is, the lamp mountingof Figs. 7 and 8 may for instance be applied to the ring design of Figs.1 to 3 or of Figs. 4 and 6. Similarly, the battery mounting of Figs. 1to 3 may be used in connection with the lamp mounting of Fig. 4 or 6,etc.

The difierent shapes of lamps as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 for example mayalso be used interchangeably.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certainnow preferred examples and embodiments it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art after understanding the invention, that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover allsuch changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, alight bulb fastened to said ring, one of the bulb terminals being inelectrical contact with the metal ring, an electric battery fastened tosaid ring, one of the battery terminals being in electrical contact withthe metal ring, an insulated pliable conductor electrically connectableon one end to the second bulb terminal and shaped to substantiallyfollow the ring contour, and a contact element at the other end of theconductor, said contact element being positioned normally disengagedfrom the second battery terminal and substantially opposite thereto forbending the said contact element into engagement with the said terminal,thereby closing the bulb circuit.

2. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, alight bulb fastened to said ring, one of the bulb terminals being inelectrical contact with the metal ring, an electric battery fastened tosaid ring and positioned substantially diametrically opposite to thelight bulb,

one of the battery terminals being in electrical contact with the metalring, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ring followingsubstantially the contour thereof and connected at one end of the secondbulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductor end, saidcontact element being positioned substantially opposite to the secondbattery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from the saidbattery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bent intoengagement with the said terminal by pressure applied to the contactelement, thereby closing the bulb circuit while such pressure isapplied.

3. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, alight bulb fastened to said ring at the outside wall thereofsubstantially axially parallel with the ring axis, one of the bulbterminals being in direct electrical contact with the metal ring, asubstantially cylindrical electrical battery fastened to said ring atthe outside wall thereof substantially transversely to the ring axis,one of the battery terminals being in direct electrical contact with themetal ring, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ringfollowing substantially the ring contour and at one end in contact withthe second bulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductorend, said contact element being positioned substantially opposite to thesecond battery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from thesaid battery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bentinto engagement with the said terminal by the pressure of one of thefingers of a person wearing the ring, thereby closing the bulb circuitwhile such pressure is applied.

4. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, alight bulb, a metal clamp extending from said ring and supporting saidbulb in electrical contact with one of the bulb terminals, an electricalbattery, a second metal clamp extending from said ring and supportingsaid battery in electrical contact with one of the battery terminals,said battery clamp being positioned substantially diametrically oppositeto the bulb clamp, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ringfollowing substantially the ring contour and connected at one end to thesecond bulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductor end,said contact element being positioned substantially opposite to thesecond battery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from thesecond battery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bentinto engagement with the said terminal, by the pressure of one of thefingers of a person wearing the ring, thereby closing the bulb circuitwhile such pressure is applied.

5. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 4,wherein said bulb is supported by the bulb clamp substantially axiallyparallel with the ring axis, and wherein the axial width of the ring atthe part thereof opposite to the bulb corresponds approximately to theaxial length of the bulb.

6. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 4,wherein portions of said ring are bent oil to form one of said clamps.

7. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 1, incombination with a translucent element arranged to be fitted over saidbulb for illumination by the bulb.

8. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 1, incombination with a translucent element supported on said ring in frontof the bulb for illumination by the bulb.

9. A finger ring with flashlight atttachment as described in claim 1, incombination with a hoodshaped opaque element having an openingtherethrough, said hood element being arranged to be fitted upon saidbulb with said opening adjacent to the bulb.

MEYER M. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 914,975 Radley Mar. 9, 1909918,181 Meadows Apr. 13, 1909 1,199,710 Newton Sept. 26. 1918 1,519,266Roebling Dec. 16, 1924 1,623,002 Gossett Mar. 29, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 414,438 England Aug- 9, 1984 275,291 England Aug. 9,1927

